Balancing A Trifecta Of Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability, And Social Inclusivity: A Policy Framework For Low-impact Siting To Facilitate India’s Sustainable Energy Transition

The global imperative to combat climate change is driving the global Renewable energy (RE) transition. RE transition has becomea critical strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and meet global energy demand. However, the large land footprint required to build this new energy infrastructure could have significant impacts on both people and biodiversity, potentially leading to conflicts that jeopardize investments and hinder the pace of the clean energy transition. Nowhere is this conflict more apparent than in India, where RE targets are ambitious (500GW by 2030) and land use conflicts are already significant. This policy brief explores the intersection of responsible land use planning and RE development, highlighting its significance within the G20 agenda. It presents policy recommendations to address land conflicts and promote swift RE deployment, advocating for planning strategies that optimize land use while minimizing environmental impact and promoting equitable energy transitions. Additionally, it suggests developing tools to enhance access to data for planning low impact RE siting. The highlights include the utilization of degraded and converted lands, such as former mining sites and existing built infrastructure, for RE development. Furthermore, the brief suggests adapting financial mechanisms and policies to promote RE away from natural, socio-ecologically sensitive, and productive agricultural land parcels. Ultimately, successful implementation of the recommended policies within the G20 framework holds the potential to ensure a sustainable RE transition that is both environmentally responsible and socially inclusive.